Airtel and Jio Gigafiber appear to be locked in a battle for supremacy in the broadband space. Here's how the two compare in terms of speed, data and affordability.

Internet speed&nbsp

Much like the entry of Reliance Jio into the telecom sector, the entry of GigaFiber -- albeit on a trial basis has completely changed the landscape of the market. Despite being only available to select users and that too in only in a fraction of the planned 1100 cities, the free preview of the service which promises users high-speed data free of cost has forced the hand of competitors to change their own play and bring out plans that are more aggressively priced and afford more data to users than ever before.

Although GigaFiber has been a bolt of lightning for the segment, its effects have still been nullified to an extent because of its competitors being more ready for it as compared to when Reliance Jio's telecom service launched and disrupted the sector overnight with its cutthroat pricing.

This has particularly been the case with Airtel which has ensured that it does not repeat the mistake from a few years ago where it allowed Jio to gain a foothold in the market without much resistance. Learning its lesson, the operator has since then significantly tweaked its broadband plans.

Here's how the two compare in terms of speed, data and affordability.

Speed

Reliance Jio's broadband service operates on a platform that uses FTTH connectivity and as such promises fast internet connection. In terms of speed, Jio currently promises up to 100MBPS speed over ethernet and 5Ghz WiFi networks and 50MBPS over the more conventional 2.4Ghz wireless network. This, however, are the speeds for the preview period, and if reports are to be believed will be increased to 1000MBPS for certain plans once the company takes the service commercial.

Airtel, on the other hand, promises up to 300MBPS speed for its highest home broadband plans, with the slowest plan starting at 8MBPS and other plans coming in at 40MBPS and 100MBPS speeds. But, it's important to note that these plans are not available everywhere, and in certain location Airtel still offers only up to 20MBPS speed plans.

Data allowance

For Airtel, except for select plans there is an FUP which can range from 150 GB to as high as 1200GB for example in the Delhi circle.This is high-speed broadband data that after being exhausted switches the user to a slower speed connection.

Under the preview offer, Jio GigaFiber also brings with it a FUP cap but its only one single plan. Under the Jio style introductory offer, Jio GigaFiber is being offered to select users for free for the first 90 days. Under the preview offer, users will get a 100 MBPS connection capped to a 100GB FUP limit. However, this 100GB cap can be extended by users through free of cost sachet recharges which add 40GB of data to users every day.

Price and affordability

In terms of price, Jio GigaFiber is the clear winner. And that's because it is completely free. The plan is being offered free of charge, however, the catch is that users have to invest in the router which too can be returned later to avail the device's refundable amount.

As such, unlike Reliance Jio's telecom offering which was entirely free for users under the preview offer, users will have to pay a refundable sum of Rs 4,500 for the high-speed Jio GigaFiber router that in the future could be used to provide users with Gigabit speed (1000 MBPS) connections.

Airtel, on the other hand, for example charges basic monthly tariffs for its plans that range from Rs 499 to Rs 2,100 -- excluding GST -- depending on the circle you're trying to get the plan in.

Jio GigaFiber vs Airtel broadband: Download speeds, plans, price and more comparedDescription:Airtel and Jio Gigafiber appear to be locked in a battle for supremacy in the broadband space. Here's how the two compare in terms of speed, data and affordability.
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